Bar Quote by Jane Gardam
““His colleagues at the Bar called him Filth, but not out of irony. It was because he was considered to be the source of the old joke, Failed In London Try Hong Kong. It was said that he had fled the London Bar, very young, very poor, on a sudden whim just after the War, and had done magnificently well in Hong Kong from the start. Being a modest man, they said, he had called himself a parvenu, a fraud, a carefree spirit. Filth in fact was no great maker of jokes, was not at all modest about his work and seldom, except in great extremity, went in for whims. He was loved, however, admired, laughed at kindly and still much discussed many years after retirement.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: “The Old Joke” (fictional) by Jane Gardam, 1995
A man labeled as a joke‑maker is actually a complex, modest individual whose reputation masks his true talent.
In simple terms: Labels can hide true character.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond surface labels.
Themes
identity
reputation
humility
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- workplace dynamics
- personal branding
- career transitions
- interpersonal respect
Key Concepts
social perception
self‑concept
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you challenge others’ assumptions?
- What does humility mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Stereotypes can be hard to overturn despite evidence.
